Part 2 (1/2)
paycheck.”
Now he understood. It always came down to money. So much for the mystical
mumbo jumbo. ”You want to know what your piece of the action will be if this works, right? Well, mate, I have a standard--””I do not wish recompense of any sort.”Archer sat back on his heels, surprised into silence. It was beyond him why anyone would willingly turn down money. It made him suspicious. ”But you
will help me? Why?”
”All things happen as they do for a reason, young Archer. You needn't know those reasons to benefit from them, aye?” Baleweg rearranged his flowing robes over his legs. His hair was white and spa.r.s.e on his tanned head, but his face was almost baby smooth, the skin translucent. Add in those eyes and he was a rather unique-looking character. Part gnome, part sorcerer, part mental
patient. ”The human mind is a supremely stubborn thing, thwarting its own ability to expand and encompa.s.s ideas not easily explained.” Baleweg tilted his head and gave Archer a probing look, real interest in his eyes now. ”Are you willing to expand your mind?”
Archer had no idea what the h.e.l.l he was talking about. ”I just want to find Eleri Trahaern.”
”Then you must accept that not all things lie on a scientific plane.”
Like that transmission you made into my home earlier? he wanted to ask, but didn't. Instead he shrugged. ”I've learned not to question the existence of things just because I don't understand them. I operate on instinct. Saved my backside many times.”
”Then let your instinct guide you now. Eleri is no longer here in this time.”
”Excuse me?”
Baleweg stared at him, his eyes sparking a blue so sharp and clear it almost
hurt to look at them. ”She is no longer in this time,” he repeated calmly.
”Meaning she is in another.”
”Time travel.” Archer swore silently. ”Right.” He pushed to a stand. ”Sorry to have taken up your time.” Though he was only really sorry at having been suckered in by this quack. No wonder the report had been so short.
Baleweg didn't rise. ”Did you not just state that you don't dismiss things you don't understand?”
”Scientists have tried to bend time for centuries. No one's ever done it.”
Baleweg smiled. ”As I said, not all things exist on a scientific plane.”
”Okay, then, tell me how to get to where she is and I'll leave you to your business.”
”This is nothing so simple. You do not enter a time that is not your own, nor disturb the life of another, without good reason.”
”Saving the queen's life isn't a good reason?”
”I did not say it must be good for another. What good is in it for the one whose life will be disturbed?”
The man was more frustrating than Ringer. ”I will gladly pay her and pay her
well for her help.”
”Ah, but not all things can be solved with money.” He lifted a finger to stall Archer's response. ”Nor is money the reward all men, or women, seek.”
”Then tell me what she wants and I'll b.l.o.o.d.y well give it to her.” In Archer's extensive experience, everyone had something they wanted, and were willing to barter to get. ”It's not like she can't go back to her old life once she's healed the queen.”
”Lives, once dabbled in, never return to their former sameness. Like a rock thrown in a pond. Even after the surface ripples smooth, the landscape beneath is forever altered.”
”Fine. I don't mean her any harm and neither does the queen.”
”Yes, but have you stopped to consider that others will want to prevent her from helping the queen? Can you keep her safe from this harm?”
”Me? I'm just the deliveryman. The queen will handle protection.”
”The royal court tried to protect her once before and she almost lost her life.
Why should she trust them again?”
”That was almost thirty years ago. Security is far more advanced.”